The Nigeria’s security agency, the State Security Service (DSS), has sounded a cautionary note. The Director-General of the DSS, Yusuf Magaji Bichi, has warned that this technological advancement is a double-edged sword, capable of both benefiting and harming national security.
Speaking at a seminar organized by the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS) in Abuja, Bichi emphasized the urgent need for robust strategies to mitigate the risks associated with AI, particularly in the realm of cybersecurity.
“We must recognize the risks associated with AI, particularly in the context of cybersecurity,” Bichi said. “As AI systems become more sophisticated, so too the tactics of those who seek to exploit them. We are already witnessing the rise of AI-enabled cyber-attacks, deep fakes, and other forms of digital manipulations that could undermine our national security and trust in digital systems.”
The DSS Director-General’s concerns show a growing global awareness of the misuse of AI for malicious purposes. From AI-powered cyber-attacks to the creation of convincing deep fakes, the security landscape is rapidly evolving, and Nigeria is no exception.
“For Africa’s emerging economies, AI represents a double-edged sword,” Bichi warned, underscoring the need for proactive measures to harness the benefits of this technology while mitigating the risks.
Echoing these sentiments, Mrs. Yemisi Edun, the Managing Director of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), acknowledged the transformative potential of AI to accelerate human progress and complement human intelligence. However, she also cautioned about the security risks associated with the misuse of AI, such as fraud, identity theft, and cyber-attacks.
“AI has proven invaluable in profiling individuals and businesses, and aiding decision-making,” Edun said. “However, its misuse for fraud, identity theft, and cyber-attacks underscores the need for robust security measures. National security is a collective effort, and every individual and organization must assess security compliance, identify gaps, and implement appropriate controls.”
The seminar, titled “Artificial Intelligence, Security, and Emerging Economies in Africa: Challenges and Prospects,” brought together security experts and academics to explore the complex relationship between AI and security in Africa. The lead paper presenter, Professor Abiodun Musa Aibinu, the Vice Chancellor of Summit University, Offa, emphasized the need to proactively address the challenges and opportunities presented by AI.
“The benefits of AI include improved decision-making, improved efficiency, and the ability to tackle complex problems,” Aibinu said. “However, there are also challenges, including limited resources, skill gaps, vulnerabilities, and issues of bias and privacy.
We must retraThe DSS Director-General’s concerns reflect a growing global awareness of the potential misuse of AI for malicious purposes. From AI-powered cyber-attacks to the creation of convincing deep fakes, the security landscape is rapidly evolving, and Nigeria is no exception.
“For Africa’s growing economies, AI represents a double-edged sword,” Bichi warned, underscoring the need for proactive measures to harness the benefits of this technology while mitigating the risks.in the workforce, address security and bias issues, and explore applications in autonomous transportation systems.”
The seminar shows the importance of a multi-stakeholder approach to developing an enabling environment for AI innovation that is inclusive, ethical, and secure. Speakers called for collaboration across borders and sectors to address the complex challenges caused by AI and ensure that its benefits are harnessed for the greater good of Nigeria and the African continent.
As Nigeria Grapples with the promises and perils of AI, the DSS and other stakeholders are determined to strike a delicate balance, leveraging the technology’s transformative potential while safeguarding the nation’s security interests.
